Meter violations could reach $100 eventually

Feb. 25, 2013

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Written by

Jane Prendergast and Jason Williams

Community members listen as City Manager Milton Dohoney and Laura Brunner, CEO of the Port Authority of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority, speak during Monday evening's hearing at City Council regarding the controversial parking proposal. / The Enquirer/Amanda Davidson

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The fine for a basic parking-meter violation could escalate to as much as $100 under the city of Cincinnati’s proposal to lease its parking system.

Parking and fine increases are detailed in a 123-page agreement between the city and Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority released Monday.

By the first year of the proposed agreement – which calls for the port authority to take control of the parking system – the meter-violation fine will be $45, up from the the current $35. By the fourth year, it would go to $60. From year five until the end of the 30-year agreement, the plan calls for fines to increase by 3 percent, or the consumer price index, and is to be capped at $100.

Officials from the city and system operator Xerox have repeatedly said they don’t plan more aggressive enforcement.

Enforcement is among several concerns the public has about the parking proposal.

So far, the feedback Cincinnati City Council is getting on the proposed parking lease isn’t positive.

Of the 22 people who spoke out at the first public hearing Monday night, two people were somewhat in favor. The rest, including business owners and political candidates, said leasing most of the city’s parking system is a bad idea that would bring higher rates and drive away customers.

Luke Brockmeier, a local activist and Statehouse candidate last year, said the idea has merit but also needs a look by an independent auditor. He also laid the blame for the city’s need for a cash infusion on the funding cuts by Gov. John Kasich.

Patrick Jones, whose April Florist has operated Downtown for 27 years, said the later meter hours won’t affect his business so much because it’s closed in the evenings. But “you’ve got a good vibe going Downtown right now, and you’re going to kill it.”

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City Manager Milton Dohoney’s proposal would lease most of the city’s parking system to a group led by the Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority.

The city would get $92 million up front and $3 million a year. That incoming money would pay for things including a 30-story tower with luxury apartments and a grocery store Downtown at Fourth and Race streets, and the Wasson Way bike trail. Meters would be upgraded to allow credit cards and payment by smartphone.

Critics, like many Monday night, said the plan doesn’t take into consideration the citizens who will have to pay higher rates. The city says rates will go up over the next 30 years, the life of the lease, no matter who operates the parking system.

John Cranley – former councilman, bond attorney and mayoral candidate – said the crucial details will be in the bond documents. He continued to use phrases like “carte blanche giveaway” and repeatedly referred to the plan as a Wall Street deal.

Rich Cappel, co-owner of Cappel’s, said customers immediately complained when the city raised meter rates to $2 an hour Downtown. “Please don’t raise the rates,” he said.

Sundays and holidays would remain free at meters. The city promises new technology would come before any rate increases. Neighborhood meter rates would go up 25 cents per hour to 75 cents in the next few months after the credit card meters come, then to $1 in 2019 and $1.25 in 2027. Downtown, rates would go from $2 now to $2.50 in 2016, $2.75 in 2023 and $3 in 2026, Dohoney said.